Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with visiting British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in Beijing on Friday morning, reaching a host of agreements on bilateral cooperation on economic, finance, education, Olympics and other matters.

 

 

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao shakes hands with visiting British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in Beijing, Jan. 18, 2008, during a ceremony in honor of Gordon Brown.?

 

During the talks, Wen highlighted Sino-British relation, saying that the bilateral ties were enjoying their best period in history.

 

The two nations have increased mutual trust in politics, expanded areas of economic cooperation, conducted active cultural exchanges, and maintained close coordination in international and regional affairs, Wen told Brown.

 

"We are satisfied with the sound momentum of the development of Sino-British relations," the premier noted.

 

Wen said China and Britain, although in different social and economic situations, could become cooperative partners as long as the two nations grasp the general direction of the development of bilateral relations from a strategic and far-reaching perspective, and as long as they adhere to the principles of mutual respect, common development, treating each other as equals and seeking common ground while reserving their differences.

 

Both China and Britain agreed that all countries should share the development opportunities and cope with challenges jointly, so as to build a peaceful and prosperous world, Wen said.

 

The two nations were both permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations and were important partners with each other, Wen said, adding that to promote comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Britain accorded with the interests of the two countries and the two peoples, and would help world peace, stability and prosperity.

 

China and Britain, in the new situation, need to upgrade their level of cooperation in bilateral and international areas, in an effort to enrich the contents of the Sino-British comprehensive strategic partnership, the premier noted.

 

In response to Wen, Brown said the Britain-China dialogue and cooperation in the fields of economy, finance, science and technology, culture, education and human rights have expanded and been enhanced constantly, bringing an important influence to the world economy and international society.

 

The building up of a harmonious world and scientific development, which China has initiated, were conducive to the wellbeing of the people of the world and to the globalization progress, the prime minister said, adding that the British side is willing to enhance cooperation with the Chinese side on climate change and the setting up of international mechanisms.

 

Brown congratulated Wen on China's achievement in economic development and wished China great success in the progress of all sectors and in hosting the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

 

The two sides agreed to upgrade the China-Britain finance dialogue at the vice-minister level to deputy prime minister level. They also decided to set up a China-Britain Youth Exchange Mechanism and boost the bilateral trade volume to US$60 billion in 2010.

 

The two sides pledged to initiate a China-Britain Science Bridge Project and formulate an action plan on innovation partnership in public health care between the two countries at an early date.

 

Meanwhile, they agreed to implement cooperation plans relating to the 2012 Olympic Games in London and reinforce cooperation in coping with climate change and in the building up of sustainable cities.

 

China and Britain pledged to enhance consultation and coordination on issues of great concern and push for positive progress in international mechanism reform and the Doha round negotiations.

 

Wen reaffirmed China's support for the Action Proclamation on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) the British side has proposed.

 

The talks were held at the Great Hall of the People, after a red-carpet welcome ceremony.

 

After the talks, the two leaders attended the signing ceremony of nearly 800-million-US dollar contracts on education and energy between the two countries, and a joint statement on climate changes.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2008)